JP2010124862A - Game hall system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game hall system that can urge players to finish their games properly without wasting time even if a lot of players are playing their games with their gained balls just before closing a game hall. <P>SOLUTION: When a count system per game machine receives a replay operation after a temporary preparation time (D2:YES, D14:YES), the first allowable value (setting value×remaining time) corresponding to the remaining time till an actual preparation time is compared with the number of player's remaining balls (D15). If the first allowable value is smaller (D15:NO), the replay process is inhibited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game hall system that controls a player's ball when the game hall is closed.

In a game hall where a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine is installed, in order to urge the player to end the game when the store is about to close, in Patent Document 1, for example, lending according to a predetermined end instruction from the management device It has been proposed to prohibit the acceptance and issuance of storage media that store valuable data for the price of balls. According to such a configuration, there is no means for the player to obtain a loaned ball after the end instruction, so that the store exits and the end of the game can be urged smoothly.
Japanese Patent No. 2720298

  Nowadays, in amusement halls, a so-called unlimited sales method that allows an acquired ball obtained by a game to be used as it is for a game is becoming common. In addition, so-called closing compensation, which compensates for a game that is supposed to be in the case of a so-called probability change state at the time of closing, is no longer performed by administrative guidance from the police or the like.

  Due to such a background, in today's closing game halls, players who invest in cash etc. leave the store early, and only players who play using the acquired balls play. In this case, even if the configuration of Patent Document 1 is adopted, it is difficult to promptly exit the store, so a system corresponding to the above background is being eagerly desired. Furthermore, it is difficult to maintain the operation just before closing a store simply by urging the store to close.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to promptly end the game appropriately without waste even when a large number of players play games with the acquired balls just before closing. It is to provide a system for a game arcade.

  The game system according to the present invention is provided corresponding to a gaming machine provided with a ball receiving tray for temporarily storing a player's acquired balls, and performs a counting process for counting the acquired balls, and the counting unit. The acquisition ball storage means for storing the number of acquisition balls counted by the player, and the re-game processing for paying out the re-game balls in response to the acceptance of the re-game operation, with the acquisition balls stored by the acquisition ball storage means as consideration. A game means and an acquisition ball update means for adding and updating the number of balls acquired by the acquisition ball storage means in accordance with a counting process by the counting means, while subtracting and updating in accordance with a re-game process by the re-game means And issuing means for issuing a storage medium that can specify the number of acquired balls stored by the acquired ball storage means in response to acceptance of the issuing operation, and a game capable of specifying game information from the gaming machine side Receive signal The game information is used to identify the number of balls used in the game based on the game signal received by the reception means and the number of balls used in the game, and the number of balls paid out as a result of the game. Identify the number of balls that have been paid out by the lending process by the lending means that accepts the valuable value and pays out the balls to the player, and uses the number of balls that are used from the sum of the number of balls to be paid and the number of balls to be lent The number of balls excluding the number of balls, and the number of balls to calculate the number of balls that represent the theoretical number of balls the player has obtained, and when the preparation time is reached to start preparations for closing in the game hall, or the game hall When the manager's store closing preparation start operation is accepted, a command means for issuing a store closing preparation start command, a number of balls calculated by the holding ball calculation means, and a number of acquired balls stored by the acquired ball storage means It is the difference and was stored in the theoretical ball tray Re-game processing by the re-playing means according to the number of remaining balls calculated by the remaining-ball calculating means for calculating the number of remaining balls, which is the number of obtained balls, and the remaining ball calculating means after the closing instruction to start closing by the command means And a game suppression means for performing a suppression process for suppressing the above (claim 1).

2. The game field system according to claim 1, wherein a first setting means for setting an expected number of balls, which is the number of balls expected to be used or consumed by a game, in association with a unit period or a plurality of periods, and the command This is a period from the time at which the re-game operation is accepted after the start of the store-close preparation start command by the means to the time at which the game is closed or the time at which the store is closed according to the closing time. Permissible use for specifying the allowable usage number corresponding to the remaining time based on the remaining time specifying means for specifying the remaining time, the remaining time specified by the remaining time specifying means, and the assumed usage number set by the first setting means The remaining ball after replay which is the sum of the number specifying means and the number of remaining balls calculated by the remaining ball calculating means, or the number of replayed balls that the replaying means pays out per replay processing to the number of remaining balls Number and before Comprising comparing means is allowed using the number identification means for comparing the allowable number of used identified, and
The game suppression means may execute the suppression process of the re-game process based on a comparison result indicating that the allowable number of uses by the comparison means is large (claim 2).

  3. The game field system according to claim 2, wherein the storage means is provided corresponding to the counting means, and temporarily stores the acquired balls counted by the counting means, and the acquired balls stored by the storing means are counted. Opening and closing means provided corresponding to the counting lane leading to the receiving lane, which can be changed between an open state allowing the acquired balls stored by the storage means to pass through the counting lane and a closed state not permitting, and the receiving means The state specifying means for specifying the occurrence status of the jackpot state in the gaming machine based on the game signal received by the game device, and the opening and closing means when the occurrence of the jackpot state is specified by the state specifying means after the instruction to start closing the store by the command means An opening control means for controlling to an open state, and after a closing preparation start command by the command means and after the end of the big hit state by the state specifying means, And a closing control means for controlling the opening / closing means in the open state to a closed state based on a comparison result that the number of remaining balls by the comparing means is equal to or less than the allowable number of use ( Claim 3).

The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second setting means for setting an allowable number of balls that is allowed to be used after a closing preparation start command by the command means.
The game suppression means may issue an issuance operation when the number of remaining balls calculated by the remaining ball calculating means after the instruction to start closing the store is less than or equal to the allowable number of balls set by the second setting means. You may make it suppress the said re-game process by making the said issuing means perform issuing processing without depending on acceptance (Claim 4).

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the suppression process for suppressing the re-game process is performed according to the number of remaining balls at the time of the store closing preparation start command, it is possible to prompt the player to end the game. In this case, the re-game process can be suppressed only for the player with a large number of remaining balls, while the re-game process is not unduly suppressed for a player with a small number of remaining balls. Can reasonably allow games.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the re-game process can be suppressed according to the remaining time, the game can be allowed to the player until the remaining time, while the game place wants to finish the game. It can be adjusted so that there is no remaining ball, and it is possible to promptly end the game appropriately without waste.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when a jackpot that is the only opportunity to increase the number of balls remaining after the store closing preparation start command occurs, the remaining balls and payout balls are forcibly set by opening the opening / closing means. Since the number of remaining balls can be suppressed, the number of remaining balls can be reliably set to 0 at the closing book preparation time and the game can be ended. Further, when the number of remaining balls becomes less than the allowable number of balls according to the remaining time, the opening / closing means is closed, so that an appropriate remaining ball corresponding to the remaining time remains at the player's hand. That is, it is possible to give the player a guide such as playing the remaining ball and leaving the store, and promptly end the game appropriately without waste.

  According to the invention of claim 4, even if a forced issuance process is performed after the store closing preparation start command, if there are not enough balls left, it is possible to smoothly prompt the player to make a decision to end the game without causing discomfort to the player. .

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire system. A lending device 2 is installed corresponding to the gaming machine 1. A management device 3 is installed in the management room. A relay device 4 is installed corresponding to the two gaming machines 1 and the lending device 2. The management device 3 is connected to the lending device 2 and the gaming machine 1 via the relay device 4 via a LAN, and the game transmitted from the gaming machine side (the gaming machine 1, the lending device 2, etc.) via the relay device 4. Receive a signal.

  The gaming machine 1 is provided with a display unit 5 for symbol variation, a start port 6 for symbol variation start, a big winning port 7 that is opened at the time of a big hit, a handle 8 for launching game media onto the board surface, and a payout. An upper ball receiving tray 9 that receives and stores the game medium, a lower ball receiving tray 10 that receives and stores the game medium overflowing from the upper ball receiving tray 9, and a lever for dropping the game medium stored in the lower ball receiving tray 10 11 is provided.

The next game signal is output from the gaming machine side, and the management device 2 specifies the game information as follows.
Out signal = Output from out BOX that collects used balls. Since there are 1 pulse for 10 recovered (used, driven) balls, the number of out signals × 10 is specified as out (corresponding to the number of used balls). In addition, you may output from the gaming machine 1 (usage medium signal).
Safe signal = output from gaming machine 1 Since there are 1 pulse for 10 payout balls, the number of safe signals × 10 is specified as safe (corresponding to the number of payout balls). The replenishment signal from the replenishing device may be a safe signal (payout medium signal).
Start signal = output from gaming machine 1 One pulse per symbol variation (actual action) in the display unit 5 that varies (operates) in response to a winning at the start port 6. A start winning signal that is output in response to a winning at the start port 6 may be used as a start signal. The number of actuating items or the number of winning prizes is specified as a start.
Jackpot signal = output from gaming machine 1 A level signal is output during a big hit that occurs when a predetermined condition is satisfied (a specific symbol is displayed on the display unit 5 or the like) and the winning rate to the big winning opening 7 is increased.
Lending signal = output from lending device 2 When a valuable value such as money is received from a player, one pulse is output for 25 balls (100 yen) lent to the player, so the number of rent signals × 25 is specified as the number of balls lent.
Re-play signal = output from lending device 2 One ball is output for one game ball that is paid out in consideration of the counting ball (acquired ball) counted by the lending device 2 among the balls acquired by the player, so the number of re-game signals × 1 Is specified as the number of replay balls.
Note that a special gaming state signal output as a level signal may be received during a probability change state in which the jackpot probability is improved or during a short time state when the winning rate to the start port 6 is increased.

The lending device 2 includes a touch panel type information display unit 12, an issue button 13, a replay button (corresponding to a replay means) 14, a ball paying exit (corresponding to a replay means and a lending means) 15, a card insertion slot (issuing means) 16), and the game medium is paid out from the ball payout outlet 15 to the upper ball tray 9 of the gaming machine 1. A counting unit (corresponding to counting means) 17 is provided at the lower part of the lending device 2, and a movable ball tray (corresponding to storage means) 19 supported by a guide arm (corresponding to a counting lane) 18 on the counting unit 17. Is provided so that turning is possible.
The movable ball receiving tray 19 is located below the lower ball receiving tray 10 of the gaming machine 1. When the player has led the ball acquired by the game to the movable ball receiving tray 19 by operating the lever 11, the movable ball receiving tray 19 is counted. In part 17, the number of balls is counted and the ball is added. The holding balls are displayed on the information display unit 12.

  2 is a front view showing the movable ball receiving tray 19 of the lending device 2, and FIG. 3 is a plan view thereof. A shutter (corresponding to an opening / closing means) 21 that is electrically driven by a solenoid 20 is built in a connecting portion of the movable ball tray 19 with the guide arm 18, and opens the shutter 21 in response to pressing of the counting button 22. . That is, the player keeps the shutter 21 closed (FIG. 3A) until the count button 22 is pressed, so that the player stores balls in the movable ball tray 19 (up to about 1000 balls) and uses them as they are in the game. I can do it. The player acquires a ball by the game, and when the ball accumulates in the lower ball receiving tray 10, the lever 11 is slid to guide the ball to the movable ball receiving tray 19. When counting balls, the count button 22 is pressed to open the shutter 21 (FIG. 3B). The lending device 2 adds the acquired balls in the ball number storage area of FIG. 5 according to the count. If the count button 22 is pressed while the shutter 21 is open, the shutter 21 is closed. Further, the bottom surface of the movable ball receiving tray 19 is inclined so as to guide the stored ball toward the counting portion 17 side, and a table support column 23 for amusement island is provided at the tip of the lower surface.

  The lending device 2 includes a control unit (a re-game means, an acquired ball update means, an issue means, a holding ball calculation means, a command means, a remaining ball calculation means, a game suppression means, a first setting means, a second setting, mainly a CPU. Means, remaining time specifying means, permissible use number specifying means, comparison means, state specifying means, opening control means, closing control means), storage unit consisting of HDD, RAM, ROM, etc. (corresponding to acquired ball storage means), It is composed of a transmission / reception unit (corresponding to a receiving means) comprising an interface for transmitting and receiving signals. That is, a re-game button 14 that accepts a re-game operation, a ball payout outlet 15 that pays out a re-game ball, and a control unit that manages them constitutes a re-game means, and an issue button 13 that accepts an issue operation, The issuing means is configured with a card insertion slot 16 for discharging a ball card, which will be described later, according to the operation, and a control unit for managing them.

The lending device 2 includes a set value storage area and a ball number storage area in relation to the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a setting value storage area of the lending device 2, which is updated by a setting signal corresponding to a setting operation performed on the management device 3 by the administrator. In the set value storage area, as setting items, “Closed time”, “Main preparation time”, “Temporary preparation time”, “Remaining number per minute”, “Second allowable value”, “Payout 1 unit” ”Are set, and their meanings are as follows.
Closing time = closing time of the amusement hall.
Book preparation time = Time before starting the closing book preparation, such as ending the payout of the loaned balls and replay balls, at a time before the closing time. As will be described later, after this time, issue processing is performed in response to pressing of the replay button 14 (corresponding to replay operation).
Temporary preparation time = time before the predetermined preparation time, the number of balls left (the number of balls held−the number of balls acquired, the number of balls received in the ball receiving tray of the gaming machine 1 or the movable ball receiving tray 19 of the lending device 2) In order to decrease, the time for starting temporary closing of the store such as suppression of payout of replay balls and opening of the shutter 21 of the counting unit 17 is started.

Permissible remaining number per minute (corresponding to the unit period) (corresponding to the assumed number of uses) = first allowable value that is the allowable number of remaining balls according to the remaining time (difference between the present preparation time and the current time) ( Setting value for specifying (equivalent to the allowable number of use). If the sum of the remaining number and one payout unit after the temporary preparation time (corresponding to the number of remaining balls after replaying) is greater than or equal to the first allowable value, the replaying of replayed balls is prohibited. It should be noted that instead of the number of balls that can be fired per hour (launch standard), the number of balls that can be fired × (1−base) is based on a so-called base (the amount of balls in a normal state), or is derived by the above formula 80 The number of balls that are expected to be consumed may be set as a target by adopting a numerical value such as.
Second allowable value (corresponding to the allowable number of balls) = the remaining number that allows the game after this preparation time. After the preparation time, if the remaining number is equal to or less than the set value, the issuing process is performed even if there is no issuing operation (issuing the issuing button).
Payout 1 unit = Number of payouts of replay balls corresponding to one replay operation. When a replay operation is accepted, if the number of acquired balls is equal to or greater than this set value, the set amount is paid out, and if not, the same number (all acquired balls) is paid out.

FIG. 5 shows the ball number storage area of the lending device 2 and is updated by a game signal or the like from the gaming machine side via the relay device 4 as will be described later. In the ball number storage area, items “mochidama”, “acquired ball”, and “number of remaining balls” are set, and their meanings are as follows.
Mochitama = number of theoretically acquired balls of the player in the corresponding gaming machine 1 As will be described later, the corresponding amount is subtracted by the out signal, and the corresponding amount (the number of acquired balls specified at the time of receiving the holding ball card) is added by receiving the safe signal, the number of borrowed balls, and the holding card (corresponding to the storage medium). Is done. Moreover, since it is the concept of “the number of borrowed balls + safe-out + acquired balls of the received possession card”, it may be calculated by the above-described calculation formula after specifying out, safe, etc., respectively. Note that all additions and subtractions according to the signal or calculation using an arithmetic expression correspond to the number of balls obtained by removing the number of used balls from the sum of the number of paid-out balls and the number of lent balls in the present invention.
Acquired balls = Number of acquired balls to be issued among the actual acquired balls of the player. The corresponding value is added and updated by receiving the count value and the possession card, and subtracted and updated by paying out the replay balls. This value is recorded on the Mochitama card when the Mochitama card is issued.
Number of balls left = difference between the number of balls and the number of balls acquired. The number of balls that are not counted among the player's balls. That is, the number of balls at hand of the player stored in the theoretical upper ball receiving tray 9 or the like.

The lending device 2 has the following functions.
(1) A stocker capable of stocking a predetermined number (5) of cards in advance at the back of the card insertion slot 16 is stocked. The card is stocked in the stocker and responds to depression of the issue button 13 (operation acceptance). 5 is stored in a stock card and issued as a possession card (issue process).
(2) The possession card can be accepted by being inserted into the card insertion slot 16. When accepted, the acquired balls are added to the acquired balls and holding balls in the ball number storage area of FIG. It is also possible to perform a clearing process such as prize exchange at a POS provided separately.
(3) When the re-game button 14 is pressed (operation accepted) in a state where the acquired balls remain, the re-play balls for one unit of payout are paid out from the ball payout exit 15 (re-game processing).
(4) The present time is managed, and when the present time becomes the main preparation time and the temporary preparation time in the set value storage area of FIG.

In addition to the above-described processing, the lending device 2 is configured to execute a holding ball calculation process, a state determination process, a re-game & issuance process, and a counting process.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the ball operation processing by the lending device 2. The lending device 2 determines whether an out signal has been received (A1), a safe signal has been received (A2), money has been received (A3), or a possession card has been received (A6). When the player inserts money into the lending device 2, the lending device 2 accepts money (A3: YES), so the current time is the main preparation time (22:45) set in the set value storage area of FIG. It is determined whether it is subsequent (A4). In the case of normal business hours before the temporary preparation time (A4: NO), after paying out the lending balls (A9), the holding balls are added (A11).

When a player plays a game on the gaming machine 1, game signals such as an out signal and a safe signal are output from the gaming machine side. When the lending device 2 receives an out signal (A1: YES), it subtracts the number of balls in the ball number storage area of FIG. 5 (A12), and when it receives a safe signal (A2: YES), Are added (A11). As will be described later, when a ball card issued from the lending device 2 is received (A6: YES), after confirming that the current time is not after the current preparation time (A7: NO), the ball card 5 is added to the acquired balls in the ball number storage area of FIG. 5 (A10) and is also added to the holding balls (A11).
As described above, the lending device 2 manages the player's winning balls and holding balls.

When a jackpot occurs in the gaming machine 1, a jackpot signal is output from the gaming machine 1.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the state determination process by the lending device 2. In the normal state where the jackpot flag = 0 (B1: YES), the lending device 2 determines whether reception of the jackpot signal has started (B2). When reception of the jackpot signal is started (B2: YES), after setting the jackpot flag to 1 (B3), it is determined whether the current time is after the provisional preparation time (22:15) in the set value storage area of FIG. B4). In the case of normal business hours before the provisional preparation time (B4: NO), the process is terminated as it is.
The lending device 2 determines whether or not the reception of the jackpot signal from the gaming machine 1 is completed (B1: NO) in the jackpot state with the jackpot flag = 1 (B7). (B7: YES), the jackpot flag is set to 0 (B8).

When a big hit occurs as described above, a large number of balls are paid out and cannot be stored in the ball trays 9 and 10 of the gaming machine 1, so the player presses down the counting button 22 of the lending device 2. Manipulate.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the counting process by the lending device 2. The lending device 2 determines whether the counting button 22 has been pressed (C1) or whether a counting ball has been detected (C6). When the counting button 22 is depressed by the player (C1: YES), after confirming that the release flag indicating that the shutter 21 has been forcibly opened is 0 (C2: YES), the shutter 21 Is closed (C3: YES), it is in the open state (C4), and if the shutter 21 is in the open state (C3: NO), it is in the closed state (C5). That is, when the shutter 21 is not forcibly opened as described later, the player can arbitrarily open and close the shutter 21. In the open state of the shutter 21, the holding balls are guided to the counting unit 17 from the lower ball receiving tray 10 through the movable ball receiving tray 19 and the guide arm 18 and counted.

When the lending device 2 detects the counting ball (C6: YES), the acquired ball in the ball number storage area of FIG. 5 is added (C7), and since the jackpot flag = 1 (C8: NO), it remains as it is. finish.
If the player counts the number of balls in a normal state other than the jackpot, the lending device 2 detects the counting ball with the jackpot flag = 0 (C6: YES, C8: YES), so the release flag = 0. After confirming that it exists (C9: NO), the process is terminated as it is.

When the player uses the acquired ball obtained by the counting process as described above as a re-game, the player pushes down the re-game button 14 of the lending device 2.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing re-game & issue processing by the lending device 2. In the state where the number of balls acquired by the counting process is present (D1: YES), the lending device 2 has received a re-playing operation (D2), has received an issuing operation (D3), or is the current time after this preparation time (D4) ). When a re-game operation is accepted by the player (D2: YES), it is determined whether the earned ball is one payout or more (D12). When the number of acquired balls is less than 1 unit paid out (D12: NO), after all replay balls have been paid out (D16), all the acquired balls in the ball number storage area of FIG. 5 are subtracted to 0 (D17). ). If the acquired ball is 1 unit or more of payout (D12: YES), the current time is before the main preparation time (D13: YES), and further before the temporary preparation time (D14: NO), that is, normal business before the temporary preparation time In terms of time, after paying out a replay ball of one payout unit (D16), the acquired ball for one payout unit is subtracted (D17).
Since the replay balls are paid out as described above, the player can replay using the replay balls.

  The player presses the issue button 13 of the lending device 2 when issuing the issue card storing the acquired balls. When the lending device 2 accepts the issuing operation by the player (D3: YES), it issues a possession card (D6), initializes the acquired ball (D7), initializes the retained ball (D8), and releases it. It is determined whether flag = 1 (D9). In this case, since the release flag indicating that the shutter 21 has been forcibly opened is 0 (D9: NO), the process ends as it is.

  Now, when the provisional preparation time has elapsed, the lending device 2 adjusts the player's ball as follows. That is, the lending device 2 receives a re-game operation by the player after the provisional preparation time and before the main preparation time in a state where the player's earned ball is one payout or more (D12: YES) ( D13: YES, D14: YES), it is determined whether 1 unit of payout + the number of remaining balls <the first allowable value (D15). This first allowable value is the number of balls that can be driven by the main preparation time (exactly at the main preparation time) when all the remaining balls including the main game ball are assumed to have been paid out at the present time. The number of balls to be 0). For example, if the current time is 22:30 minutes, the difference (15 minutes) between 22:30 and the main preparation time (22:45) is calculated, and the calculated difference (15 minutes) is set in the set value storage area of FIG. The first allowable value (15 minutes × 100 = 1500) is specified by multiplying the allowable number of remaining balls per minute in (100). Next, the number of remaining balls after replay, which is the sum (1525) of the payout 1 unit (125) in the set value storage area of FIG. 4 and the number of remaining balls (eg, 1400) in the number of balls storage area of FIG. 5, is calculated. Compare with the first tolerance.

  When payout 1 unit + number of remaining balls ≧ first allowable value (D15: NO), since there is a remaining ball at the preparation time, the process is terminated without performing the re-game process. If payout 1 unit + number of balls left <first allowable value (D15: YES), even if the replay balls are paid out, the number of balls left will be 0 in the calculation by this preparation time, so move to step D16 By doing so, re-game processing is performed. That is, it is determined whether it is possible to drive in all of the payout 1 unit + the number of remaining balls by the preparation time, and if possible, the replay ball of 1 payout is paid out.

  In the state determination process of FIG. 7, the lending device 2 sets the release flag to 1 (B5) and then sets the shutter 21 to the open state (B6) when a big hit occurs after the temporary preparation time (B4: YES). . This release flag is a flag indicating that the shutter 21 is forcibly opened regardless of the operation of the counting button 22. In the state where the release flag = 1, the closing control of the shutter 21 in response to the pressing of the counting button 22 is not performed (C2: NO).

  When the big hit with the gaming machine 1 is finished, the payout from the gaming machine 1 is finished, so that the number of holding balls decreases. When the lending device 2 detects the counting ball before the main preparation time in the counting process of FIG. 8 with the shutter 21 forcibly opened (open flag = 1) (C6: YES, C9: YES, (C10: YES), the number of remaining balls is compared with the first allowable value (C11), and if the number of remaining balls> the first allowable value (C11: NO), the processing ends. That is, since the remaining balls do not become 0 by the calculation by this preparation time, the counting process is continued with the shutter 21 opened. When the number of remaining balls ≦ the first allowable value (C11: YES), the shutter 21 is closed (C12), and then the release flag is set to 0 (C13). That is, since the remaining balls are calculated to be 0 by the preparation time, the counting process is finished. In the present embodiment, in order to omit the dark remaining ball control, the number of balls used (1 minute = 100 balls) is calculated as a guide, so that some remaining balls are generated at the time of this preparation time. However, if it is strictly desired to set the number of remaining balls to zero, a setting value based on the base may be adopted.

When the lending device 2 issues a ball card in response to the issuing operation by the player in the re-game & issuance process of FIG. 9 in a state where the shutter 21 is forcibly opened (release flag = 1) (D3 : YES, D9: YES), after closing the shutter 21 (D10), the release flag is set to 0 (D11).
As a result of the above operation, the remaining ball of the player is calculated to be 0 when the main preparation time is reached.

  The lending device 2 ends the acceptance of money (A4: YES, A5) and the acceptance of the possession card (A7: YES, A8) after the preparation time in the holding ball calculation process of FIG. ). The accepted money will be returned. Further, in the re-game & issuance process of FIG. 9, if the number of balls left after the preparation time is equal to or less than the second allowable value of FIG. 4 (D4: YES, D5: YES), the issuing operation is not accepted. By moving to step D6, an issuance process (corresponding to a suppression process) is forcibly performed.

  In addition, after this preparation time, even if a replay operation is accepted (D1: YES), if the earned ball is one payout or more (D12: YES, D13: YES), the process proceeds to step D6. To do. Even if the current time is after the main preparation time or the provisional preparation time, if the acquired ball is less than one payout unit (D12: NO), the replay ball is paid out (D16). Further, when a big hit occurs after the main preparation time and the shutter 21 is forcibly opened (B2: YES, B4: YES), the shutter 21 is determined without making a determination (C11) that the number of remaining balls is equal to or less than the first allowable value. Is kept open (C10: NO).

This embodiment can exhibit the following effects.
(1) When a re-game operation is accepted after the provisional preparation time, the sum of the payout 1 unit and the number of remaining balls, that is, the number of remaining balls after the re-game processing is the number of balls to be calculated until the main preparation time Since the re-game process is prohibited when the value is equal to or greater than the first allowable value, there is no possibility that the number of remaining balls of the player becomes equal to or greater than the first allowable value due to the re-game process after the provisional preparation time. In this case, since the first allowable value is an allowable usage number that is expected to be used or consumed in accordance with the game time until the main preparation time, it can be expected that the remaining number of balls will be used up at the time of the main preparation time.
(2) The occurrence of jackpots can be assumed as a factor that increases the number of balls remaining after the provisional preparation time, but in this case as well, the player's operation until the number of balls remaining after the jackpot occurrence falls below the first allowable value Regardless of this, since the shutter 21 of the counting unit 17 is opened, there is no possibility that the number of remaining balls will be greater than or equal to the first allowable value due to the occurrence of a big hit after the provisional preparation time. In this case, since the shutter 21 is closed when the number of remaining balls reaches the first allowable value, it is implied that the game is permitted for the number of remaining balls by the player, and a game corresponding to that number can be expected. That is, the game can be expected to be played until the last preparation time for the closing of the store.

(3) After this preparation time, when the player accepts a replay operation, that is, when the remaining number of balls is reduced and replay processing is attempted, the player performs reissue processing instead of replay processing. Not only can you no longer get it, you can also imply the end of the game with the issued card.
(4) When a big hit occurs after this preparation time, the shutter 21 is opened until the issuing process, so that the player can play only the amount of balls stored in the ball tray of the gaming machine 1 even after the big hit. Also in this case, the end of the game is implied by the shutter 21 not closing.
(5) Since the issuing process is performed when the number of remaining balls is equal to or less than the second allowable value (0 in the present embodiment) after the main preparation time, the shutter 21 is in an open state after the number of remaining balls has decreased or after a big hit. The player who has become aware of the end of the game by issuing process.
(6) Even in the cases (1) and (3) above, since the re-game process is performed if the earned ball is less than 1 unit of payout, a small amount of the cleared ball is settled (the burden on the system and the game Can be reduced.

(7) If a big hit occurs due to the small number of balls left in (3), (5), (6) above, a ball card with that ball will be issued, but the number of balls left is small Therefore, the possibility is extremely low.
(8) Since the lending process and acceptance of the possession card are canceled after the preparation time, there is no possibility that the number of remaining balls will increase. In this case, since both are received after the provisional preparation time and before the main preparation time, it is possible to play until the closing of the store.
(9) Since the number of remaining balls is suppressed after the provisional preparation time in (1) and (2) above, forced issue processing and reselection processing are performed after the main preparation time according to (3) and (5) above. Even if the prohibition or the like is performed, the possibility of giving a bad image to the player becomes extremely low, and the certainty that the number of balls left by the player becomes zero increases. In addition, while prompting the end of the game, it is also possible to expect a game until the closing of the store just like the above (1), (6), (8).

  In short, according to such an embodiment, when a re-game operation is received after the provisional preparation time in the per-counter counting system, the first allowable value (set value × remaining time) according to the remaining time up to the main preparation time. ) And the number of remaining balls of the player, and the re-game process is suppressed when the first allowable value is small, so that it is possible to prompt the player to end the game. In this case, the re-game process can be suppressed only for the player with a large number of remaining balls, while the re-game process is not unduly suppressed for a player with a small number of remaining balls. Can reasonably allow games. In addition, the game can be allowed to the player until the remaining time, while it can be adjusted so that there is no remaining ball at the time when the game hall wants to finish the game, and it is possible to promptly end the game appropriately without waste.

  When a big hit occurs after the provisional preparation time, the shutter 21 of the counting unit 17 is opened and the count is forcibly performed. After the big hit, the shutter 21 is closed when the number of remaining balls of the player falls below the first allowable value. As a result, it is possible to suppress the increase of the remaining balls, and the game can be ended with the remaining balls set to 0 reliably at the closing book preparation time. Further, when the number of remaining balls becomes equal to or less than the allowable number of balls according to the remaining time, the shutter 21 is closed, so that an appropriate remaining ball corresponding to the remaining time remains at the player. That is, it is possible to give the player a guide such as playing the remaining ball and leaving the store, and promptly end the game appropriately without waste.

  Instead of the normal issuing operation, by issuing a possession card when the number of remaining balls of the player becomes the second allowable value (setting value) after the preparation time or when a re-game operation is performed Since forced issue processing is performed, even if forced issue processing is performed after the store closing preparation start command, if there are not enough balls left, it will prompt a decision to finish the game smoothly without causing player discomfort I can do it.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified or expanded as follows.
Although the remaining time is the difference from the main preparation time, it may be a difference from the closing time (corresponding to “time corresponding to the closing time”).
It is also possible to set the difference between the closing time, the main preparation time, and the temporary preparation time, and indirectly set the main preparation time and the temporary preparation time. Of course, if it is set directly as shown in FIG. 4, it is not necessary to set the closing time. Any other setting value may be used as long as the value can be specified.

The configuration that prohibits re-game processing is illustrated, but if the re-game processing is suppressed, for example, the fee equivalent to the fee ball is subtracted from the earned ball more than the re-play ball as the fee, for example, to the player compared to before the preparation time The suppression process may be executed in any way, such as indirectly prohibiting it as a disadvantageous configuration.
Only one of the main preparation time and the provisional preparation time may be set, and only the processing corresponding to one of them may be performed.
Regardless of the time, the management device 3 or the like starts processing corresponding to the main preparation time or processing corresponding to the temporary preparation time in response to accepting a button operation (corresponding to a store closing preparation start operation) by the administrator. Also good.

In FIG. 4, the “allowable remaining number per minute” is set, but the remaining time is associated with a plurality of remaining time ranges (corresponding to “22:15, 22:20,...,“ Multiple periods ”). A number tolerance (3000, 2500,...) May be set to specify the first tolerance.
Each set value is an example, and any numerical value may be used. Moreover, it is not necessary to change the default setting.
Although the acquired ball is stored in the holding card, the acquired ball may be specified by the ID of the holding card by storing it in the management device 3 by so-called back number management. Also, for example, other information may be associated with the possession card, such as storing the possession ball and adding the possession ball for the possession ball instead of the acquired ball when receiving the possession card.

Although the replay process is suppressed according to the remaining time, a setting value such as a second allowable value may be provided, and the suppression process may be executed when the number of remaining balls is equal to or greater than the set value.
Issuance processing was performed when the value was less than or equal to the second tolerance value, but since the remaining number is greater than or equal to the tolerance value such as the first tolerance value, the issuance processing is performed so that no further replay processing is performed. May be. In this case, the suppression process for suppressing the re-game process is executed by the issuing process.

Although the re-game process is suppressed based on the result of comparing the number of balls remaining after replay and the first allowable value, it may be suppressed based on the result of comparing the number of remaining balls and the first allowable value.
Although the shutter 21 is provided as shown in FIG. 3, if the counting can be suppressed corresponding to the counting lane, whether the counting lane can pass or not is provided even if it is provided, for example, at a connection portion with the guide arm 18 at the lower part of the main body of the lending device 2. Is acceptable. Note that the shutter 21 may not be provided.

  The shutter 21 was opened when a big hit occurred after the provisional preparation time, but when the big hit has occurred, such as opening the shutter 21 during the big hit or at the end of the big hit, the shutter 21 is opened at any timing. Also good. In the present invention, all of the above correspond to the case where occurrence of a big hit state is specified.

You may apply to what is called a member system. In this case, the holding balls correspond to so-called accumulated balls for that day.
In addition to the card, the storage medium such as a coin card can be a medium such as a coin or paper. If the medium is paper, a bar code or the like may be printed and received by scanning.
Part of the processing in the lending device 2 may be performed by the management device 3 or the relay device 4, or part of the processing of the management device 3 may be performed by the lending device 2 or the relay device 4. In this case, the game information is specified by receiving a lending signal or the like from the lending device 2.

Schematic showing the entire system in one embodiment of the present invention Front view of movable ball tray Top view of movable ball tray The figure which shows the setting value storage area of a lending device The figure which shows the ball number storage area of the lending device Flow chart showing the ball operation processing by the lending device Flow chart showing state determination processing by lending device Flow chart showing counting process by lending device Flow chart showing replay & issuance processing by lending device

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a gaming machine, 2 is a lending device (re-playing means, acquired ball updating means, issuing means, holding ball calculating means, command means, remaining ball calculating means, game restraining means, first setting means, second setting Means, remaining time specifying means, allowable use number specifying means, comparing means, state specifying means, opening control means, closing control means, acquisition ball storage means, receiving means), 14 is a replay button (replay means), 15 is Ball paying exit (re-playing means, lending means), 16 is a card insertion slot (issuing means), 17 is a counting section (counting means), 18 is a guide arm (counting lane), 19 is a movable ball tray (storage means), Reference numeral 21 denotes a shutter (opening / closing means).

Claims (4)

A counting means provided corresponding to a gaming machine provided with a ball receiving tray for temporarily storing the player's earned balls, and performing a counting process for counting the earned balls;
Acquired ball storage means for storing the number of acquired balls counted by the counting means;
Replay means for performing a re-game process of paying out a re-play ball in response to acceptance of a re-play operation in consideration of the acquired ball stored by the acquired ball storage means;
Acquisition ball update means for adding and updating the number of acquired balls stored by the acquired ball storage means according to the counting process by the counting means, while subtracting and updating according to the re-game processing by the re-game means,
Issuing means for performing issuance processing for issuing a storage medium capable of specifying the number of acquired balls stored by the acquired ball storing means in response to acceptance of the issuing operation;
Receiving means for receiving a game signal capable of specifying game information from the gaming machine side;
While the game information received by the receiving means specifies the number of used balls, which is the number of balls used in the game, and the number of paid-out balls, which is the number of balls paid out by the game, as a game information, it accepts valuable value such as money. , The number of balls to be paid out by the lending process by the lending means that lends the balls to the player, and the number of balls to be used is excluded from the sum of the number of balls to be dispensed and the number of balls to be lent And a ball calculation means for calculating the number of balls that represent the number of balls theoretically acquired by the player,
Command means for issuing a closing preparation start command when a preparation time for starting preparations for closing a shop in the amusement hall is reached, or when a store closing preparation start operation is accepted by an administrator in the amusement hall;
Calculate the remaining number of balls, which is the difference between the number of balls calculated by the ball calculating unit and the number of acquired balls stored by the acquired ball storage unit, which is the number of acquired balls stored in a theoretical ball receiving tray. A remaining ball calculating means,
Game suppression means for performing suppression processing for suppressing re-game processing by the re-game means according to the number of remaining balls calculated by the remaining ball calculation means after the store closing preparation start command by the command means;
A game system characterized by comprising: First setting means for setting an assumed number of uses, which is the number of balls expected to be used or consumed by a game, in association with a unit period or a plurality of periods;
A period from the re-game operation reception time to the store closing time at the game hall or the closing book preparation time which is a time according to the closing time in response to acceptance of the re-game operation after the store closing preparation start command by the command means A remaining time specifying means for specifying the remaining time,
An allowable use number specifying means for specifying an allowable use number corresponding to the remaining time based on the remaining time specified by the remaining time specifying means and the assumed use number set by the first setting means;
The remaining number of balls calculated by the remaining ball calculating means, or the number of remaining balls after replay which is the sum of the remaining number of balls and the number of replayed balls that the replaying means pays out once per replay process, and the allowable number A comparison means for comparing the allowable use number specified by the use number specifying means,
2. The game field system according to claim 1, wherein the game suppression unit executes the re-game processing suppression process based on a comparison result that the allowable number of uses by the comparison unit is large. A storage unit that is provided corresponding to the counting unit and temporarily stores the acquired balls counted by the counting unit;
An open state that is provided corresponding to a counting lane that guides the acquired balls stored by the storing unit to the counting unit, and that allows the acquired balls stored by the storing unit to pass through the counting lane, and a closed state that does not permit Opening and closing means that can be transferred to,
State identifying means for identifying the occurrence status of a jackpot state in the gaming machine based on the gaming signal received by the receiving means;
An opening control means for controlling the opening and closing means to an open state when the occurrence of the big hit state is specified by the state specifying means after the store closing preparation start instruction by the instruction means;
Based on the comparison result that the number of remaining balls by the comparing means is less than or equal to the allowable number of use after the closing closing start instruction by the instruction means and after the end of the big hit state by the state specifying means, the open state is entered. Closing control means for controlling the opening and closing means to a closed state;
The game system according to claim 2, further comprising: A second setting means for setting an allowable number of balls that is allowed to be used after the closing instruction to start closing by the command means;
The game suppression means may issue an issuance operation when the number of remaining balls calculated by the remaining ball calculating means after the instruction to start closing the store is less than or equal to the allowable number of balls set by the second setting means. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the re-game process is suppressed by causing the issuing means to perform an issuing process without depending on acceptance.

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